State provides land bank $4.26 million to demolish vacant homes

The Mahoning County Land Bank received $4,266,250 to demolish vacant homes in certain areas of the county.

The Ohio Housing Finance Agency announced the Neighborhood Initiative Program grant today. The money comes from $60 million the state received through the federal Hardest Hit Fund, originally intended to provide money to those losing their homes to foreclosure.

“This was a competitive process and we are pleased to receive a substantial grant,” said Daniel R. Yemma, county treasurer and chairman of the land bank’s board of directors. “We are grateful the OHFA recognized the need for demolition assistance in Mahoning County and the land bank’s ability to get things done.”

Most of the neighborhoods are in Youngstown including nearly the entire East Side, Crandall Park on the North Side, the Idora Neighborhood on the South Side, Cornersburg, Buckeye/Lansingville on the southeast side and portions of the West Side. Also on the list is most of Campbell, large portions of Struthers, northern Boardman and an eastern part of Austintown.